MILANO, August 4, 2026 / TOKYO, August 5, 2026－ Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited (“Sumitomo Chemical”) and COPYR S.p.A. Compagnia del Piretro (“COPYR”) are pleased to announce Sumitomo Chemical group’s acquisition of COPYR’s plant protection business.
COPYR—an Italian company belonging to Zelnova Zeltia, with long-standing expertise in natural pyrethrum-based insecticide products—owned and operated Pyragro S.r.l. (“Pyragro”), the subsidiary responsible for COPYR’s plant protection business.
On August 3, 2026, Sumitomo Chemical Italia S.r.l., (“Sumitomo Chemical Italia”) the Italian subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, acquired 100% of the ownership interests in Pyragro.
Pyragro holds registrations for a broad portfolio of natural pyrethrum-based plant protection products in Italy and across several markets in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
Through the acquisition of Pyragro, Sumitomo Chemical group gains an established platform, including various product registrations and supporting dossiers, to expand its presence in the professional agriculture market. This expansion of Sumitomo Chemical group’s crop protection portfolio—particularly with respect to products of natural origin—fully aligns with Sumitomo Chemical’s long-standing sustainable agriculture strategy; this expansion helps Sumitomo Chemical group enhance the value it delivers to customers and partners throughout the EMEA region and build a stronger foundation for future growth.
The transaction also enables COPYR and the Zelnova Zeltia group to focus resources and investment on their core Home Care, Personal Care and Professional businesses, while placing Pyragro with an owner that has the scale, expertise and strategic commitment to accelerate its future development.
Tadashi Katayama, Managing Executive Officer of Sumitomo Chemical, said: “This transaction will support Sumitomo Chemical group’s continued expansion in EMEA’s biorational business, while further enhancing its crop protection portfolio, particularly in naturally-occurring insecticide products including Bacillus thuringiensis products. It also provides a solid foundation for future development in the region.”
Pedro González Blanco, Chief Executive Officer of COPYR, said: “The divestment of Pyragro is consistent with our strategy of concentrating the Zelnova- COPYR group’s resources and investment on its core Home Care, Personal Care and Professional businesses. Sumitomo Chemical is the right long-term owner for Pyragro: its crop protection expertise, international presence and commitment to sustainable agriculture provide a strong platform to develop the business further. We will work closely with Sumitomo Chemical to ensure an orderly transition and continuity for customers, suppliers and business partners.”
About Sumitomo Chemical
Sumitomo Chemical is a Japan-based chemicals conglomerate which operates in the Agro & Life Solutions Sector, ICT & Mobility Solutions Sector, Advanced Medical Solutions Sector and Essential & Green Materials Sector. In the Agro & Life Solutions Sector, Sumitomo Chemical group aims to advance regenerative agriculture and help achieve a sustainable society by delivering unique products and solutions to global markets. As a global leader in the biorationals business, the group further strengthens its industry-leading technological and service capabilities to contribute to solving social issues such as improving agricultural productivity.
About Sumitomo Chemical Italia
Sumitomo Chemical Italia is the Italian subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical and has been present on the Italian market since 2002. Its mission is to provide growers with technical crop protection solutions derived from, among other things, its own R&D activities. To accomplish its mission, Sumitomo Chemical Italia works closely in collaboration with selected partners.
About the Zelnova-Copyr Group
The Zelnova-Copyr Group is an international provider of consumer and professional solutions, with more than 80 years of experience in Home Care, Personal Care and Professional solutions. With operations, manufacturing facilities and laboratory capabilities in Italy and Spain, and products marketed in more than 50 countries, the Group combines well-established brands, including Kenyasafe, Kenyatrin, ZZ Paff, Stira & Ammira and Casa Jardín, with strong scientific, regulatory and commercial expertise in naturally derived pest control solutions.
The Group serves the professional pest control, Horeca, food industry, animal health, Home & Garden and mass-market sectors. It has extensive scientific, regulatory and technical know-how in natural pyrethrum and in the development of pyrethrum-based biocidal formulations.
About Pyragro
Pyragro develops and markets natural pyrethrum-based crop protection solutions for organic and integrated agriculture. Its portfolio is supported by formulation development, field trials and registrations, and is distributed through specialised partners in Italy and other EMEA markets.
Advisors
COPYR and Pyragro were advised by EY as financial advisor, in the persons Victor Duran Schulz and Carlos Garcia-Lozano Aranda, and Legance as legal advisor, with a team composed of the partner Francesco Florio and the senior associate Antonio Garramone.
